Date: October 14, 2024
This week we celebrate our wonderful alumni as we prepare to welcome them “home” for Class Reunions and Alumni Convocation. The Convocation keynoter is our very own Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams, Dodge Professor of Biblical Literature, and her keynote address on Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. — “Find Your Way Back”: Forming an Ancestral Identity — will be the inaugural lecture of her tenure as the Dodge Professor. It is not to be missed. Earlier that morning at 11:00 a.m., I will be offering an update on Seminary life for our alumni and others in the Seminary community.
We are also honored to have Bishop Robert C. Wright ’98, (H)’13, Bishop of the Diocese of Atlanta, with us on today. He will offer a lecture at 4:00 p.m. in the Lettie Pate Evans Room on Why Christian Nationalism isn’t Christian – do please try to be present. It will be well worth your time. Earlier in the day he will be available at lunchtime for conversations with our students at a reserved table in the Refectory. Feel free to stop by to greet the Bishop and engage in conversation. This evening is the reception and dinner for those alumni classes celebrating reunion years, as well as for the Class Stewards.
We are also honored to welcome this week a group of womanist scholars who are colleagues of Dr. Fentress-Williams. They will be joining several Convocation events as well as spending time together as a colleague group throughout their visit. Two opportunities will be available to members of the seminary community on Wednesday morning – I’ll say more about that in tomorrow’s Commentary.
The Class Stewards and the Alumni Association Executive Committee (AAEC) also hold their fall meetings on campus this week. It is a particular joy to welcome them to campus for their gatherings. I encourage you to take advantage of and enjoy the opportunity to connect with our amazing alumni this week. My grateful thanks in advance for offering them our hallmark hospitality!
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary